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Representing Clients in ALL Los Angeles, CA Courts

California DUI Penalties

Los Angeles DUI Attorney

The penalties for driving under the influence (DUI) in California are harsh. Most often, the specific penalties possible will depend upon whether a person is being accused of their first DUI or if they are a multiple DUI offender.

The penalties you will receive will often be based upon the skill of your Los Angeles DUI attorney. There is no doubt that the amount of evidence the prosecution has against you will impact the results of your criminal case, but if your attorney has superior skill, knowledge and experience regarding California driving under the influence charges, you will have the best chance of receiving alternative or lessened sentencing, reduced charges or avoiding a conviction altogether. A skilled attorney will be able to devise a more effective plan of defense for your case. After all, even a person who is entirely innocent could be convicted of a crime if he or she had an incompetent defense lawyer who was unable to prove that innocence to the judge and jury.

Defending Driving Under the Influence Charges in Los Angeles, California

The Los Angeles DUI defense attorneys at Gold & Witham have over 40 years of combined experience in criminal law, including an attorney who has experience as a former Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney. The defense attorneys understand the entire DUI court process and know how to guide the clients through from start to finish and how to utilize this process in order to secure the lowest amount of penalties possible for your particular case and charges. We are also familiar with how to defend clients at their DMV hearing in order to help them have their license reinstated.

When facing drunk driving charges, the prosecuting attorney with the help of law enforcement is dedicated to your conviction.  The full resources of the system are there to back up the prosecution.  It is strongly advised that you have a quality DUI defense lawyer working to protect you.  You need someone to fight aggressively for your defense.  There are countless cases in which the charges were dismissed due to the dedicated work of the DUI defense attorney. 

A quality legal defense is vital in DUI charges.  In multiple DUI cases, it is not recommended that you step into a courtroom without a powerful DUI defense lawyer fighting for you.  At Gold & Witham, not only are the attorneys highly qualified defense attorneys, they are also seasoned trial lawyers.  Don't take chances with your future if you are facing a drunk driving charge.  Protect yourself with an experienced DUI lawyer from Gold & Witham.

The maximum penalties a driver may face for a driving under the influence conviction are as follows:

  • 1st DUI Offense:
    • License suspension – 6 months
    • Jail sentence – 48 hours to 6 months
    • Fines and court fees - $1400 to $1800
    • Probation – 1 to 5 years
  • 2nd DUI Offense:
    • License suspension – 2 years
    • Jail sentence – 96 hours to 1 year
    • Fines and court fees - $1800 to $2800
    • Probation – 3 to 5 years
    • Ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle
  • 3rd DUI Offense:
    • License suspension – 3 years
    • Jail sentence – 4 months to 1 year
    • Fines and court fees - $1800 to $2800
    • Probation – 5 years
    • Ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle
  • 4th DUI Offense:
    • Felony DUI charge
    • License suspension – 4 years, or permanent
    • Jail sentence – 6 months to 3 years
    • 3 years in state prison
    • 1 additional year for each additional person injured in the accident
    • 3 additional years for great bodily injury
    • 4 years in state prison
    • With gross negligence, such as a multiple DUI offender, up to 10 years in state prison
  • Enhanced Penalties will be implemented for the following:
    • Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of above .15%
    • Minor under 14 years old in the car
    • Refused chemical testing to determine BAC
    • Excessive speeding
    • Probation violation for prior DUI offense

Contact a Los Angeles DUI Attorney at Gold & Witham today when you need a quality DUI defense attorney that will fight for you.

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